After a beta test phase lasting about 3 months, Apple finally announced the latest version of its MacOS operating system called Mojave exactly on September 24, 2018. The new release brings some interesting news with it that we will see in the next few lines but in this guide today we will mainly focus on how to install macOS Mojave from USB in a few simple steps. Let’s not waste any more time and see immediately how to do it.
Content index
- macOS Mojave: the news
- macOS Mojave: on which Mac can be installed
- Preliminary operations
- How to install macOS Mojave from USB
macOS Mojave: the news
On June 4, 2018 it was a particularly important day for Apple because in San Francisco during the ‘Apple WWDC, has unveiled the 15th version of its operating system for Mac: MacOS Mojave 10:14. The bitten apple defines it as powerful and at the same time simple, bringing new features with it based on the experience of the best professionals but designed for everyone.
Among the new features in macOS Mojave we have the Dark Mode that allows you to concentrate as much as possible on what you are doing, enhancing even the lightest colors and the smallest details. Present an interesting new feature called Pile that keeps the Desk in order by automatically gathering files of the same format. This means that you can group images, documents, spreadsheets, PDFs and so on in one place.
macOS Mojave also brings some news for Finder with it, the file manager par excellence of Apple. For example, you can now quickly search for a file based on its appearance. The new Quick View feature lets you take a quick look at the file without opening it using the default application. For example, you can apply a note to a PDF, rotate or crop an image, or cut an audio and video file without opening it with the respective software.
These are just some of the innovations introduced by Apple in the 15th version of its operating system. You can discover them all through the dedicated page on the official website of the giant of Cupertino.
macOS Mojave: on which Mac can be installed
The new version of the PC operating system is compatible with the following models:
- MacBook (from the beginning of 2015)
- MacBook Air (from mid-2012)
- MacBook Pro (from mid-2012)
- Mac mini (from the end of 2012)
- iMac (from the end of 2012)
- iMac Pro (2017)
- Mac Pro (late 2013, mid 2010 and mid 2012 preferably with a graphics card compatible with Metal)
You can find out if your computer is on the list by pressing on the Apple logo on the top left and then on Information on this Mac. In addition, to install the new OS it is necessary to have at least 2 GB of RAM and 12.5 GB of available storage space or up to 18.5 GB if upgrading from OS X Yosemite or earlier versions.
Preliminary operations
Before seeing in detail how to install macOS Mojave from USB, it is necessary to perform some preliminary operations. These are:
- Create a backup to restore in case of problems using Time Machine, via iCloud or simply using the Finder and moving the files to an external storage device (eg hard disk or USB key).
- Pendrive from at least 8 GB.
- Download the DiskMaker X software from the official website (which will allow you to create a bootable pen drive containing the new version of macOS).
- Download macOS Mojave from the Mac App Store.
If you choose the method through Apple’s cloud storage service, then we suggest you read our guide on how to backup to iCloud.
In case you opt for Time Machine, instead, follow the steps listed below:
- First of all, insert the hard disk or the pendrive into one of your Mac’s USB ports, put a check mark on Encode backup disk and choose Use as backup disk from the Time Machine window that opens. In the event that this window does not appear, then press the clock icon in the menu bar and open the Time Machine preferences. Alternatively, press the Apple logo located at the top left, click on System Preferences and select Time Machine.
- After that, press Select backup disk … and then Select disk or Add/Remove backup disk.
- After choosing the storage device on which to save the files, click on Use disk.
- At this point, after correctly configuring Time Machine, you can immediately make the backup, without waiting for the automatic one, by clicking on Run the backup you find from the Time Machine menu by pressing the clock icon in the menu bar.
How to install macOS Mojave from USB
After seeing all the requirements and preliminary operations to be carried out, now we can finally see how to make a clean installation on the new MacOS Mojave on your Mac by simply using a pendrive.
Here are the steps to follow to the letter:
- Once MacOS Mojave is downloaded from the Mac App Store, do not press Continue otherwise the installation will start.
- Connect the selected USB stick to one of your Mac’s USB ports and start the previously installed DiskMaker X software. The program will automatically recognize the installation files of the operating system.
- To start the process of copying the installation files to the external storage device, click on Use this copy.
- Now, the software will ask you whether to use the entire storage of the USB key or just a part. Clicking on Erase All Disk a complete formatting of the pendrive will be performed, therefore you will lose all the files saved in it. Our advice is to make a backup of the content on the storage device, obviously if you have so important.
- In the next step, select the name of the pendrive and click on Choose this disk to start the process of creating the USB stick containing MacOS Mojave. The entire procedure could take around 15/20 minutes but you can follow the progress from the Notifications section.
- At the end of the operation, the pendrive will open automatically and various messages will appear on the screen.
- At this point, turn off your Mac and leave the USB stick connected to the port or disconnect it and insert it into the USB port of the computer you want to update.
- Start up your Mac by simultaneously pressing the Alt key on the keyboard until the HDD symbols appear on the display.
- Now, click on the pendrive icon with macOS Mojave connected to the PC and wait for the installation files to load. This step could take a few minutes as it all depends on the quality of the key chosen.
- After that, select the language of the system, open the MacOS Utility and choose Disk Utility.
- Now, select the hard disk or SSD on which to install the operating system in the upper left and click on Format.
- The installation setup allows you to create multiple partitions by pressing on the + or just one where to install the system.
- After entering the name of the partition (we recommend that you keep Macintosh HD supplied by default to avoid future problems), set Mac OS Extended (Journaled) as the disc format and click Apply.
- Once the procedure is complete, close the Disk Utility, click on MacOS Installation from MacOS Utility and click Continue to start the macOS Mojave installation. The entire operation will take place in 20/40 minutes.